The Second Street School was originally established at this location as a two-room schoolhouse in 1913 to relieve the overcrowding of Edmonds School during the pre-First World War building boom. The old school was converted into an auditorium when this handsome school building was constructed in 1928. The new school, built by local contractors Ward-Leverington Ltd., included four classrooms, a library, a room for the principal, and a room for the teachers. The original brick façade has been retained although it has been painted; other intact original features include the bellcast octagonal roof ventilator and the protruding front entrance. The Burnaby School Board architect at this time was the talented firm of McCarter & Nairne, who also designed the Douglas Road School. John Y. McCarter (1886-1981) and George Nairne (1884-1953) formed their partnership in 1921 after serving overseas during the First World War. The partners began designing houses and small apartment buildings, and larger commissions soon followed, including Vancouver’s first skyscraper, the Marine Building (1928-30).
Photograph of a Second Street School classroom. The students are seated at desks, and the teacher is standing behind them beside a chalkboard and a map.
Photograph of a Second Street School classroom. The students are seated at desks, and the teacher is standing behind them beside a chalkboard and a map.
Photograph of a Second Street School class taken outside of the school. Back row, left to right: Kenneth Wilson, Victor Spong, Gordon Ramsey, Murdoch McLeod, Keith Waite, Frank Trewern, Herbert Spong, and Charlie Trewern. Next row, left to right: Mina Fraser, Florence Wilson, Ethel Beamish, Eliza…
Photograph of a Second Street School class taken outside of the school. Back row, left to right: Kenneth Wilson, Victor Spong, Gordon Ramsey, Murdoch McLeod, Keith Waite, Frank Trewern, Herbert Spong, and Charlie Trewern. Next row, left to right: Mina Fraser, Florence Wilson, Ethel Beamish, Elizabeth Murray, Gladys Brown, Gwen Allman, Ethel Meade, Jean Campbell, Dorothy White, Masie Frost, and Doreen Burton. 2nd row from front, left to right: Madge Donald, Ilma Beamish, Annie McDonald, Edna Townsend, Jessie Murray, Frances Atkinson, Elizabeth Moody, Helen Sutherland, and Helen Spong. Front row, left to right: Leslie Roy, Harold Allman, Bernard Gosse, Stanley Owen, Ralph Stapely, Percey Bettles, Archie Card, Norman Swift, and Gilbert Bettles. The teacher, at back, is Miss Sutcliffe.
Photograph of Grade 2 class at Second Street School. (2nd from right) Hazel Butler; (3rd from right) Jessica Scott, daughter of Jim Scott, owner of Model Grocery. Their teacher was Miss Hurley (not in photograph). Other playmates: Ena Russell, Evelyn Salt, and Lorraine Patience (not idenified).
Photograph of Grade 2 class at Second Street School. (2nd from right) Hazel Butler; (3rd from right) Jessica Scott, daughter of Jim Scott, owner of Model Grocery. Their teacher was Miss Hurley (not in photograph). Other playmates: Ena Russell, Evelyn Salt, and Lorraine Patience (not idenified).
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified is Jack Leaf (back row, far left). The teacher of this class was Miss Evans (not in photograph). Jack Leaf's father, George Leaf, opened one of the first businesses in Burnaby, the George Leaf General Store.
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified is Jack Leaf (back row, far left). The teacher of this class was Miss Evans (not in photograph). Jack Leaf's father, George Leaf, opened one of the first businesses in Burnaby, the George Leaf General Store.
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified: (2nd row, far left) Ellen "Nellie" Fetherstonhaugh (she later changed her first name to Leta and later became Leta Arden), and (2nd row, 2nd from right) Edith Fetherstonhaugh. Leta and Edith were daughters of Richard and Catherine Fetherstonh…
Photograph of a Second Street School class. Identified: (2nd row, far left) Ellen "Nellie" Fetherstonhaugh (she later changed her first name to Leta and later became Leta Arden), and (2nd row, 2nd from right) Edith Fetherstonhaugh. Leta and Edith were daughters of Richard and Catherine Fetherstonhaugh (nee McCusker).
Survey plan of "Second Street School Site" "Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lots 1 & 2 , Block 20 of the Subd of / Lot 27. Group 1 / New Westminster District".
Survey plan of "Second Street School Site" "Burnaby Municipality" "Being Lots 1 & 2 , Block 20 of the Subd of / Lot 27. Group 1 / New Westminster District".
Oath in bottom left corner reads: "I, D.J. McGugan...and did personally superintend the survey..." "...completed on the 8th day of March 1915"; signed "D.J. McGugan / BCLS / sworn...29 day / of May 1915"
The Douglas Road School was originally established as a two-room school in 1908 on this site, and later expanded to four classrooms. Anticipating rapid settlement of this district, the School Board purchased two acres adjoining the old building. Two of the four rooms were designed to become one large auditorium suitable for special events and public gatherings, with seating for two hundred people. The classically-influenced school has been altered with new windows and extended with additional wings, but has retained its original red-brick veneer, tan-brick quoins and bellcast octagonal roof ventilator. Designed by McCarter & Nairne, the school was built by contractor A.S. Perry. McCarter & Nairne, who also designed the Second Street School, were the Burnaby School Board architects at this time. John Y. McCarter (1886-1981) and George Nairne (1884-1953) formed their partnership in 1921 after serving overseas during the First World War. The partners began designing houses and small apartment buildings, and their commissions included Vancouver’s first skyscraper, the Marine Building (1928-30).